If there are tacks covering the whole piece of wood, and they aren’t sticking out, it’s not necessary to remove them. Tacks pose less of a tetanus risk than nails, but they are both sharp and can cause accidental injury.
Depending on what the pallet was used for in the past, the stains could be hazardous. For example, pallets that transported food or chemicals may contain pathogens or other dangerous substances.
Pallets marked with ”DB” (Debarked), “HT” (Heat Treated), “KD” (Kiln Dried) and “EPAL” (European Pallet Association Logo) should be safe to use. Avoid pallets marked “EUR” unless also marked with “EPAL. ”[3] X Research source Pallets marked with “MB” (Methyl Bromide) contain toxic fungicide and should be disposed of according to local regulations, which can be found on the website of your locality or trash disposal service. The pallet may contain an abbreviation for the country of origin, a registration number, and other symbols. If the pallet is from an international source and is not marked “IPPC Logo,” it may not be safe to use.
Reclaimed wood may contain insects, for example, that you wouldn’t want indoors.
Disassemble the pallet if you want to use the planks instead of the whole pallet in one piece.
Make sure to sand your pallet outdoors, wearing safety goggles and a respirator to avoid dust issues. [6] X Research source If you opt not to sand the pallet, only use it somewhere that family and guests won’t touch it, since rough wood can cause splinter.
Wear old clothes and rubber gloves. If you’re using bleach, you should also wear safety goggles and a face mask. You may want to use bleach if you have a reason to suspect mold or mildew. Don’t combine bleach with any products that contain ammonia.
